Sinkholes close U.S. 27 in Polk County

Posted: January 12, 2010 - 6:58am

BARTOW (AP) — A major traffic artery in central Florida has been shut down after authorities found two sinkholes.

A Polk County sheriff's deputy on patrol discovered the first, measuring 40 feet by 30 feet, near U.S. Highway 27 late Monday night. A second, smaller one was found a mile South about an hour later. The larger sinkhole is already two feet deep.

So far, no vehicles or structures have been affected by the anomaly, but Highway 27 in Lake Wales is shut down in both directions.

Authorities did not immediately say how or when the heavily traveled roadway might be repaired.